OPINION

Letter: Big money in politics is an American problem

Sally Gartner

To borrow a little from President Johnson’s voter rights speech of the 1960s, the extreme influence of big money in politics is not a Democrat problem or a Republican problem. It is an American problem.

Both parties take some responsibility for it as do we the people. We were not paying the attention as we should have to our political system for the last 35 years. I include myself in that. I understand it is very hard to be involved at least in really knowing what is going on when you are working, especially if you have to work two or three jobs to make ends meet. The last thing you want to think about let alone research is politics with what little leisure time you have.

I submit we have to force ourselves to get involved. The only way our country is going to get turned around is for us, millions of us, to get involved. Our politicians will then be forced to listen to We the People.

You have the opportunity right here in Newark on Nov. 8to start that conversation. Vote yes to establish a “Democracy Day.” If passed, the city of Newark will host an annual “Democracy Day.” Testimony will be given by city officials and Newark citizens regarding a U.S. Constitutional Amendment to establish corporations, or other artificial entities, are not people and money is not speech. If you want change, be a part of it.

Sally Gartner

St. Louisville